1300 Speech Communication
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Speech Communication 1300-08 Spring 2006
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
M, W, F – 11 a.m. to 11.50 a.m. SPCH Room 203
Instructor: Dr. Avinash Thombre
Voice Mail: 501-683-7026
Office: SPCH Room 235
Email: axthombre@ualr.edu
Office Hours: MWF 10-11 am and 12 noon to 1 pm and by appointment.
Course Description
Students will be introduced to the basic process central to all communication contexts
(e.g. listening, perceiving, using verbal and nonverbal communication, establishing
climate), and then applying these processes to various contexts (interpersonal, small
group, public, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication). This course
focuses specifically on two of UALR’s Blue Ribbon Competencies in the core
curriculum: verbal literacy (speaking in public, communicating in a relationship,
interacting in a small group) and critical thinking (analyzing data, synthesizing
information, making decisions and systematically and imaginatively solving problems).
Course Objectives
1. Enlarging understanding of the role of communication in our everyday life.
2. Recognizing and appreciating the power of symbols.
3. Developing critical skills for responsible production and consumption of messages in
multiple settings (one-to-one, small group).
4. Effectively develop active listening, conflict resolution, and information gathering
skills.
5. Effectively organize, participate in, and lead small groups as they problem-solve
6. Effectively deliver an oral presentation to an adult audience
Required Text
Wood, J. T. (2005). Communication in our lives. 4rd Ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
In your textbook you will find a website password. DO NOT THROW THIS AWAY. In
addition, do not break the seal on the CD inside the back cover of the text if you plan to
sell your book back to the bookstore. Information contained on the CD is also available
online. The Speech Builder Express which is packaged with the text is a manual to assist
students in the use of the Speech Builder Express online software. This manual will guide
the user step-by-step through the process of using the SBE software to prepare a speech
for in-class presentation.
ASSIGNMENTS
Attendance + Participation:
Absences are not acceptable. The student is expected to attend all the class sessions as
well as come to class on time and stay in the classroom during the entire class
session. I will take attendance at the beginning of each class session. Each time you are
late for class more than 5 minutes, you will lose one point.
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The student will be allowed two absences. After that, every absence will result in a loss
of four points. There might be exceptions for this policy if you contact me prior to the
missed class and provide adequate documentation. Attendance does not mean simply
being physically present in class but includes completion of the assignments designated
in the course schedule and active participation in class discussion and activities. Cell
phones and pagers must be turned off in class (100 points)
Exams: There will three exams (50 points each) designed to demonstrate basic
acquisition of selected concepts and terminology introduced in the text, lecture and in
class discussions.
Communication Analysis Paper: Select an interpersonal communication encounter
relating to a close relationship. Turn in a corresponding paper that explains and analyzes
the results of verbal and nonverbal communication message exchanges and its
implications drawing upon at least three communication concepts that we learned. The
purpose of the assignment is to recognize the centrality and impact of communication
activities in our immediate interpersonal situations. Excluding references, the length of
the paper should be four to six pages (100 points).
Speech: Students will deliver an in-class informative speech lasting 5-7 minutes and
submit an organizational outline of the speech in order to pass the course. Your grade on
this assignment will be based, in part, on the materials you prepare for the presentation
with the assistance of the Speech Builder Express software. The remainder of your grade
will be based on the quality of your delivery, primarily on how you maintain eye contact.
Remember this is not a reading class. You should not read your speech. There are no
exceptions for this assignment (100 points).
Group Work Analysis: You will participate in a number of in-class small group
discussions/activities during the semester. Based on your work in groups consisting of 45 students and your experiences of working in a small group you will write a 4 page
paper, drawing upon the concepts that you learned to analyze/apply to your group
experience (100 points).
Calculation of Grade: Letter Grade 5 = (All earned points)/(All points available)
The grading distribution is as follows:
90% = A
80% = B
70% = C
60% = D
50% and below = F
Paper Guidelines:
(1) All papers must be typed with 1” margins, double-spaced with a 10-12 point font
in Times New Roman. Handwritten work cannot be accepted.
(2) All papers should be free of spelling errors (use spell-check on your computer),
grammar errors and typos (proof-read your paper after it is drafted), and clearly
organized.
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(3) When you use references in your paper, be sure to put quotation marks and cite the
source (author, date, and page in the text). Also at the end of the paper, write all the
information about the references following APA format.
(4) All assignments should be submitted during the class session of the due dates
listed. You are responsible for planning ahead and balancing the requirements of this
class with your other classes and other responsibilities (work, family, etc.)
(5) Work will not be accepted as an email attachment.
COURSE POLICIES
Student Handbook: I recommend that you read Section VI of your Student Handbook’s,
“Statement of Behavior” (page 57) for a discussion of UALR’s policies on academic
dishonesty and classroom disruption.
Late Work: Late work cannot be accepted without a reduction in the scores earned.
Scores of late exams will be reduced 10% and grades of late paper will be reduced 10
points per each day after the due date’s class period without official documents or
doctor’s notes. It is your responsibility to contact the instructor prior to the due date
when an emergency or circumstance arises and prevents you from turning in assignments.
Academic Honesty/Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty and plagiarism are not acceptable
behaviors. Your enrollment in this class indicates your understanding of the academic
civility and honesty policies of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. All students
who participate in plagiarism and academic dishonesty will fail the course and will be
referred to the appropriate university officials.
Students with Special Needs: It is the policy of UALR to accommodate students with
disabilities, pursuant to federal law and state law. Any student with a disability who
needs accommodation, for example in arrangements for seating, examinations, notetaking should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course. It is also the policy and
practice of UALR to make web-based information accessible to students with disabilities.
If you, as a student with a disability, have difficulty accessing any part of the online
course materials for this class, please notify the instructor immediately. The chair of the
department offering this course is also available to assist with accommodations. Students
with disabilities are encouraged to contact Disability Support Services, telephone 501569-3143 (v/tty), and on the Web at http://www.ualr.edu/dssdept/.
E-mail Address: You need to have an active UALR e-mail address for class-related
announcements. Please ensure that you have UALR e-mail ID by the first week of
class. Go to Computing Services on campus to get an UALR email ID.
Presentation Day Policies: Please arrive early to class on presentation days and bring all
of your materials needed to deliver your speeches. If you are tardy, do not enter the
classroom unless I invite you in or deliver your speeches. I also highly recommend that
you dress and look professional on presentation days. As you will learn, your appearance
helps to establish your credibility.
1300 Speech Communication
Tentative Schedule
Week 1
Topics
Readings
Jan 18
Jan 20
Jan 23
Course Introduction/Icebreakers
Syllabus/Expectations
Why Study Communication?
Week 2
Jan 25
Jan 27
Jan 30
Models of Communication
Careers in Communication
Self-introductory speeches
Week 3
Feb 1
Feb 3
Feb 6
Self-intro speeches, Tour of Listening Lab
Perception Process
Prototypes/Constructs/Scripts
Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Week 4
Feb 8
Feb 10
Feb 13
Attributions
Formation of self concept
Attachment styles
Chapter 3
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Week 5
Feb 15
Feb 17
Feb 20
Johari window
Symbols and meaning
Symbolic abilities
Chapter 9
Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Week 6
Feb 22
Feb 24
Feb 27
Review
Exam I
Personal relationships
Chapter 10
Week 7
Mar 1
Mar 3
Mar 6
Relational dialectics
Styles of loving
Listening process
Chapter 10
Chapter 10
Chapter 6
Week 8
Mar 8
Mar 10
Mar 13
Forms of listening (IP paper due)
Nonverbal communication
Types of Nonverbal communication
Chapter 6
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
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1300 Speech Communication
Week 9
Mar 15
Mar 17
Mar 20
Speaking in public
Planning and presentation
Delivery and evidence
Week 10
Mar 22
Mar 24
Mar 27
Review
Exam II
Spring break
Week 11
Apr 3
Apr 5
Apr 7
Communication climates
Conflict and communication
Adapting effectively
Chapter 7
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Week 12
Apr 10
Apr 12
Apr 14
Groups and teams
Communication analysis
Group work
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Week 13
Apr 17
Apr 19
Apr 24
Clarity in speeches
Speeches
Speeches (Group paper due)
Chapter 13
Week 14
Apr 26
Apr 28
May 1
Week 15
May 3
May 5
Week 16
May 10
Speeches
Speeches
Speeches
Review
Consultation day
Finals (10.30 am Room 203)
END OF THE COURSE - CONGRATULATIONS
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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